McCance & Huether’s Pathophysiology: The Biologic Basis for Disease in Adults and Children | Fall Semester 2025–2026 Complete Exam Prep Study Pack | 210+ Verified Practice Questions with Correct Answers & Detailed Rationales | Comprehensive Test Bank & St

McCance & Huether’s Pathophysiology: The Biologic
Basis for Disease in Adults and Children | Fall Semester
2025–2026 Complete Exam Prep Study Pack | 210+
Verified Practice Questions with Correct Answers &
Detailed Rationales | Comprehensive Test Bank & Study
Guide for Nursing, MSN, and Medical Students


QUESTION 1
What is pathophysiology primarily concerned with?
A) The functional changes associated with disease. (Correct Option)
B) The genetic basis of diseases
C) The treatment of diseases
D) The prevention of diseases
RATIONALE:
Pathophysiology focuses on the functional changes in the body that result from disease
processes.


QUESTION 2
Which term describes the study of the causes of disease?
A) Etiology. (Correct Option)
B) Pathogenesis
C) Epidemiology
D) Morphology
RATIONALE:
Etiology refers to the study of the causes or origins of disease.


QUESTION 3
What is the primary cause of ischemia?
A) Reduced blood flow to tissues. (Correct Option)
B) Increased blood flow to tissues
C) Infection
D) Inflammation
RATIONALE:
Ischemia is caused by reduced blood flow to tissues, leading to oxygen deprivation.


QUESTION 4

,What is a hallmark of inflammation?
A) Redness, heat, swelling, and pain. (Correct Option)
B) Increased blood flow only
C) Tissue necrosis
D) Decreased vascular permeability
RATIONALE:
Inflammation is characterized by redness, heat, swelling, and pain due to increased
blood flow and vascular permeability.


QUESTION 5
What does the term "homeostasis" refer to?
A) The body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment. (Correct Option)
B) The process of healing
C) The development of disease
D) The body's response to stress
RATIONALE:
Homeostasis refers to the body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment
despite external changes.


QUESTION 6
Which of the following is a common sign of infection?
A) Fever. (Correct Option)
B) Hypertension
C) Bradycardia
D) Hypoglycemia
RATIONALE:
Fever is a common sign of infection, indicating the body’s response to pathogens.


QUESTION 7
What is the primary role of cytokines in the immune response?
A) To mediate communication between immune cells. (Correct Option)
B) To directly kill pathogens
C) To produce antibodies
D) To enhance blood flow

,RATIONALE:
Cytokines are signaling molecules that mediate communication between immune cells,
coordinating the immune response.


QUESTION 8
What is the term for the process of programmed cell death?
A) Apoptosis. (Correct Option)
B) Necrosis
C) Hyperplasia
D) Metaplasia
RATIONALE:
Apoptosis is a controlled process of programmed cell death that occurs in multicellular
organisms.


QUESTION G
What is the primary function of the immune system?
A) To protect the body against pathogens. (Correct Option)
B) To regulate blood pressure
C) To facilitate digestion
D) To maintain fluid balance
RATIONALE:
The primary function of the immune system is to protect the body against pathogens,
including bacteria, viruses, and other harmful invaders.


QUESTION 10
What is the term for an increase in the size of cells?
A) Hypertrophy. (Correct Option)
B) Hyperplasia
C) Atrophy
D) Metaplasia
RATIONALE:
Hypertrophy refers to an increase in the size of cells, often in response to increased
workload.

, QUESTION 11
Which type of necrosis is characterized by the transformation of tissue into a liquid
viscous mass?
A) Liquefactive necrosis. (Correct Option)
B) Coagulative necrosis
C) Caseous necrosis
D) Fat necrosis
RATIONALE:
Liquefactive necrosis involves the transformation of tissue into a liquid viscous mass,
often seen in brain tissue.


QUESTION 12
What is the primary role of macrophages in the immune response?
A) To phagocytize pathogens and present antigens. (Correct Option)
B) To produce antibodies
C) To activate B cells
D) To release cytokines
RATIONALE:
Macrophages are key players in the immune response, phagocytizing pathogens and
presenting antigens to T cells.


QUESTION 13
Which of the following is a common complication of chronic inflammation?
A) Tissue fibrosis. (Correct Option)
B) Acute pain
C) Fever
D) Hyperemia
RATIONALE:
Chronic inflammation can lead to tissue fibrosis, which is the thickening and scarring of
connective tissue.


QUESTION 14
What is the role of the complement system in immunity?